White House Condemns Trump's Threat to Investigate NBC and MSNBC as Attack on Democracy

Trump vowed to investigate NBC News and MSNBC for "country-threatening treason" if re-elected president.
The White House condemned Trump's threat as an "outrageous attack on our democracy."
The White House statement defended press freedom as a fundamental Constitutional right.
The statement said presidents must protect freedoms, not "trample on them for selfish, small, and dangerous political purposes."
The White House warned that abusing presidential power to violate reporters' rights would be unconstitutional.

mediaite.com

Relevant topic timeline:

7/25/2023

Special counsel examines 2020 meeting where Trump praised U.S. election system's integrity

Main Topic: The special counsel's office is investigating a White House briefing on election security in February 2020 and the role of "fake electors" after the 2020 election. Key Points: 1. The special counsel's office is inquiring about a White House briefing where officials assured Trump of the security and integrity of the U.S. election system. 2. Chris Krebs, former director of CISA, was interviewed by the special counsel's office and clashed with Trump over election security. 3. The grand jury is investigating Trump's actions related to the Capitol riot and efforts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power, including the role of "fake electors."

8/16/2023

Republicans scrutinize Biden White House’s emails with tech platforms

Main Topic: Internal corporate emails from social media companies reveal White House pressure to censor content, sparking concerns about First Amendment rights and government coercion. Key Points: 1. Internal emails from Meta and Twitter, obtained through a federal lawsuit and a congressional investigation, show White House officials requesting the removal of certain posts. 2. Republicans argue that these requests violate the First Amendment rights of tech platforms and their users. 3. Legal experts are divided on whether government pressure to censor content constitutes coercion and a violation of free speech rights. The Supreme Court may need to address this issue.

9/13/2023

White House Urges News Executives to Scrutinize GOP's Baseless Biden Impeachment Inquiry

The White House is urging top US news executives to intensify their scrutiny of House Republicans who have launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, despite the lack of evidence, and is cautioning against false equivalency in reporting.

9/25/2023

Trump Threatens NBC, MSNBC with Treason Probe If Re-Elected, Sparking Backlash

Donald Trump threatens to investigate Comcast, NBC, and MSNBC for "Country Threatening Treason" if he is re-elected, prompting accusations of fascism and concerns over his calls to violence and threats towards Gen Mark Milley.

9/25/2023

Trump Threatens Media Companies Over Election Coverage If Reelected

Former President Donald Trump has warned media organizations, such as NBC News and MSNBC, that they will face consequences if he is reelected, suggesting they should be investigated for "Country Threatening Treason" and questioning their access to U.S. airwaves.

Topics

Posted 9/25/2023, 5:01:00 PM

White House Condemns Trump's Threat to Investigate NBC and MSNBC as Attack on Democracy

Trump vowed to investigate NBC News and MSNBC for "country-threatening treason" if re-elected president.
The White House condemned Trump's threat as an "outrageous attack on our democracy."
The White House statement defended press freedom as a fundamental Constitutional right.
The statement said presidents must protect freedoms, not "trample on them for selfish, small, and dangerous political purposes."
The White House warned that abusing presidential power to violate reporters' rights would be unconstitutional.

mediaite.com

Relevant topic timeline:

7/25/2023

Special counsel examines 2020 meeting where Trump praised U.S. election system's integrity

8/16/2023

Republicans scrutinize Biden White House’s emails with tech platforms

9/13/2023

White House Urges News Executives to Scrutinize GOP's Baseless Biden Impeachment Inquiry

9/25/2023

Trump Threatens NBC, MSNBC with Treason Probe If Re-Elected, Sparking Backlash

9/25/2023

Trump Threatens Media Companies Over Election Coverage If Reelected